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Fresh flax seeds, anyone? Share your experiences.

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/4/2012 12:54 PM (GMT 0)
I just read an article in a women's magazine that states grinding fresh flax seeds and ingesting up to 2 tablespoons daily is so beneficial. Mainly in my case, for sudden weight gain over the past 3 months and hot flashes all day long, etc. I'm in my late 50s now. But while reading other online sources for why this seed is so good for us, many warn those with GI troubles - IBS, Colitis, Crohn's - to go easy at first, starting out with 1/2 teaspoon per day and working up to 1 or 2 tablespoons, if your body can tolerate it. Apparently, you experience bloating or cramping, initially? But in the long run, your colon will be healthier after you've leveled off and experience minimal GI upsets, etc.

Has anyone here tried buying fresh flax seeds at the health food store, grinding them in a coffee grinder or blender and then ingesting them on a daily basis?

I figure you all are the experts in daily bathroom experiences and the like. My personal experts - :).

Thanks.
Mary/artichoke6
Posted 6/4/2012 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
did not help me infact really hurt me. my ulcers cannot do seeds even if they are ground. flax oil is ok but I have much greater success taking raw coconut oil and fish oil. lots of people like flax oil but for me the coconut and fish oil work 1000x better. I wouldn't even attempt the flax seeds. you know your body though but any seed for me is a flare up in the making even if it is ground I cannot even eat hummus anymore with its groun sesame (tahini) it is an instant flare. I think it is too risky just go with oil. Good luck!
Posted 6/4/2012 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
I think you would have to try it over a period of time to see how you do on it.
What food would you be putting it on?

It is another blood thinner...just be aware of what other Omega/fish/E in your diet.

If you were a horse, it would give you the shiniest coat..;-)

q
Posted 6/4/2012 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
Neigh, neigh!!! lol

Well I haven't tried it yet. I'm somewhat silly this way, I buy a product but then it sits around for a while. I did grind some of the seeds, they are now in a zip lock bag in the fridge.

Thanks for the feedback, appreciate it greatly.
Posted 6/5/2012 6:04 AM (GMT 0)
I don't think there is any real proof supporting flax seeds and UC. Flax seeds contain Omega 3 but not the good version of it (EPA) but rather the version which needs to be converted by your body (DHA). A very small amount gets converted into EPA and so any omega3 benefits will be tiny. I recommend eating salmon instead if you're after the omega3 effects
Posted 6/5/2012 11:36 AM (GMT 0)

Marsky said...
Has anyone here tried buying fresh flax seeds at the health food store, grinding them in a coffee grinder or blender and then ingesting them on a daily basis?


I have been grinding two tablespoons (most) every morning since December 2008 and adding them to my homemade yogurt.

It has never prevented nor helped alleviate a flare but does make my stools a more consistent soft but firm texture.

Here is my reference for flaxseed: www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/flaxseed-000244.htm
Posted 6/5/2012 11:46 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone, I am now 57 and in the past 3 months put on weight, none of my summer capri's fit from last summer and it's frustrating. I went from a size 12 to 4, after my colon resection but within a year or two settled into a realistic size 8, for years. Then all of a sudden weight gain and hot flashes each hour (very short bursts). Up until now I've not had hot flashes, not anything like the horror stories my peers (friends, female relatives) have described. Then of course I read about the benefits of grinding up these flax seeds. I just wanted to know if it made your GI chronic situations worse or better. I didn't want to start something I'd regret (colon related).

We have another out of town family trip this weekend (daughter graduates from college), so once I get thru that, I will try 1/4th teaspoon per day, increasing as I go along.

I want my size 8's back! Been buying clothing at consignment shops until then.
Posted 6/5/2012 12:14 PM (GMT 0)
Marsky,

I know for many flax seed and flaxseed oil are good options.

From the research I have done, flaxseed oil is high in omega 6's, so I no longer take it. Especially, since diets high in omega 6's promote inflammation, whereas diets high in omega 3's do the opposite. An ideal balance of omega 3 to omega 6 ratios is 1:1 of course.

I've been successfully using chia seeds (organic and whole, although they too can be ground) as its nutritional profile is quite good.

They are a good source of protein, and omega 3's, and a bunch of minerals as well. You may want to look it up and see if it fits with your needs.

I use a tablespoon of it in each of my protein shakes (made with almond milk).

As far as your pre-menopausal symptoms, you may want to look into Maca powder. It's all natural and has been around for a long time as an alternative to helping women cope with menopausal symptoms as it is adaptogenic. It also has the ability to help those with extreme fatigue, stress, decreased libido, and has helped men with impotence.

Of course, do your due diligence before trying any of these, and check with your doctor.

 

Posted 6/5/2012 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
flaxseed oil is high in omega 6's...

Actually chia seeds are higher in omega 6's than flaxseeds. Flaxseeds do contain some omega-6 oil but what matters is the proportion of omega-6 to omega-3.
The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 in chia seeds is 0.33 to 1.
The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 in flaxseed is 0.26.to 1.
Both flaxseed and chia seed have a good balance of omega-6 to omega-3, so both are considered to be very healthy.

Fish oil is more easily assimilated by the body but if there is one advantage I can think for flax it is the health benefits of lignans. I think people with Crohn's should prefer fish oil to flax because those with CD are more apt to have nutritional deficiencies. You need several micro-nutrients such as zinc (which many with CD are deficient), to convert the omega-3s in flax for the body to use.
Posted 6/10/2012 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
Flaxseed oil helps relieve joint pain especially in my knees.
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